Surgical sponge

ABSTRACT

A surgical sponge including a sponge material configured an elongate sponge having multiple compressed layers and a flattened shape characterized by a generally flat upper surface, a generally flat lower surface, with the sponge having a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the sponge, one reduced dimension end of the elongate sponge having an end length and reducing in dimension distally along the end length; stitches along the length of the sponge to compress the sponge material and maintain the layers in compression to maintain the flattened shape of the sponge; and a length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end to provide a structure that is engageable for use in positioning or removal of the sponge during a surgical procedure.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to surgical sponges. More particularly, this disclosure relates to improved surgical sponges having enhanced structure and function.

BACKGROUND

Improvement is desired in the construction of surgical sponges. Conventional surgical sponges have various shortcomings. For example, better absorption of surgical fluids is desired. Also, conventional sponges often do not stay intact when wet, are cumbersome and get tangled with surgical instruments, and are difficult to deploy and retrieve through cannulas and the like associated with laparoscopic surgery.

The present disclosure advantageously provides improved surgical sponges that overcome many of the shortcomings of conventional sponges.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by surgical sponges and methods for making surgical sponges according to the disclosure.

In one aspect, a surgical sponge includes a sponge material configured in an elongate sponge having multiple compressed layers and a flattened shape characterized by a generally flat upper surface, a generally flat lower surface, with the sponge having a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the sponge, one reduced dimension end of the elongate sponge having an end length and reducing in dimension distally along the end length; stitches along the length of the sponge to compress the sponge material and maintain the layers in compression to maintain the flattened shape of the sponge; and a length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end to provide a structure that is engageable for use in positioning or removal of the sponge during a surgical procedure.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method for making a surgical sponge. The method includes the steps of providing a sponge material and configuring the sponge material to have multiple compressed layers and a flattened shape characterized by a generally flat upper surface, a generally flat lower surface, with the sponge having a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the sponge, one reduced dimension end of the elongate sponge having an end length and reducing in dimension distally along the end length; providing stitches along the length of the sponge to compress the sponge material and maintain the layers in compression to maintain the flattened shape of the sponge; and providing a length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end to provide a structure that is engageable for use in positioning or removal of the sponge during a surgical procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a surgical sponge according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a right side view of the surgical sponge of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front end view of the surgical sponge of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A-2C show retrieval of the surgical sponge of FIG. 1 during a surgical procedure.

FIGS. 3A-3C show an alternate embodiment of a surgical sponge according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, there is shown a surgical sponge 10 according to the disclosure. The sponge 10 is particularly configured for use with laparoscopic, thorascopic, and robotic surgical procedures and equipment. The appearance of the sponge 10 is also configured to be aesthetically pleasing and includes various ornamental aspects and features.

As shown, the sponge 10 is elongate, but has a flattened or non-cylindrical cross-section characterized by a generally flat upper surface 12, a generally flat lower surface 14, with the sponge 10 having a thickness T that is substantially less than a width W of the sponge 10 to facilitate passage of the sponge 10 through a cannula or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the width of the sponge to its thickness is at least about 2 to 1.

The sponge 10 is constructed to have multiple compressed layers 16. For example, at least about four layers is preferred. To accomplish this, a single piece of sponge material is rolled or folded or multiple pieces of sponge material are utilized, with stitches 18 being applied along the length of the sponge 10 to compress the sponge material and maintain the layers in compression to yield the elongate flattened shape as depicted. It has been observed that the structure of the sponge 10 has improved absorbency as compared to conventional sponge structures that do not provide compressed layers held in compression, and the sponge 10 remains intact when wet.

A preferred sponge material is a sterile rayon fiber neuro sponge material available from DeRoyal Industries of Powell, Tenn. The sponge material preferably includes an integrated x-ray detectable strip 20. The stitches 18 are desirably formed as locking stitches and formed using 0-silk suture material. The stitches 18 aid in retaining the dimensions of the sponge 10 when saturated. For example, the sponge will tend to swell as its intake of fluids increases, causing the material of the sponge to swell or expand. Absent the stitches 18, the sponge 10 would swell undesirably and potentially render the sponge of dimensions unsuitable for being retrieved through a trocar. The stitches 18 serve to inhibit the swelling of the sponge so that the sponge when saturated may be retrieved through a trocar. The stitches 18 also tend to maintain the sponge structure, as the sponge material is more vulnerable to tearing and the like when wet.

A length 18 a of the stitch material is left to extend from at least one end 22 of sponge 10 to provide a structure that is engageable by the surgeon for use in positioning or removal of the sponge 10. In this regard, at least the end 22 of the sponge 10 having the length 18 a of stitch material is angled, tapered, pointed or the like to provide a shape that reduces in dimension along its length distally. The end 22 is thus configured to be more easily guided into a trocar or the like for deployment and retrieval. For example, as seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the length 18 a of the stitch material, the flattened shape of the sponge 10, and the reduced dimensioned end 22 enable the sponge 10 to be more easily retrieved and guided into and through a trocar of laparoscopic or other surgical instrument SI.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, there is shown another embodiment of a sponge 30. The sponge 30 is substantially identical to the sponge 10 and uses the same reference characters. However, stitches 18 of the sponge 30 are configured in a pattern that is more easily accomplished using automated stitching equipment. Also, each end of the sponge 30 has a reduced dimensioned end 22, and the length 18 a of the stitch material is configured as a loop to facilitate grasping thereof. The appearance of the sponge 30 is also configured to be aesthetically pleasing and includes various ornamental aspects and features.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that surgical sponges according to the disclosure are configured for improved absorption of surgical fluids, to remain intact when wet, and less cumbersome and easier to deploy and retrieve.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical sponge, comprising: sponge material configured in an elongate sponge having a length and having multiple compressed layers and a flattened shape characterized by a generally flat upper surface along the length of the sponge, a generally flat lower surface along the length of the sponge, with the sponge having a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the sponge, one reduced dimension end of the elongate sponge having an end length and reducing in dimension distally along the end length; stitches along the length of the sponge to encircle and to compress the sponge material, thereby maintaining the layers in compression and inhibiting swelling of the sponge when saturated with fluids to maintain the flattened shape of the sponge when the sponge is saturated with fluids; and a length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end to provide a structure that is engageable for use in positioning or removal of the sponge during a surgical procedure.
 2. The sponge of claim 1, wherein the sponge material comprises a single piece of sponge material.
 3. The sponge of claim 1, wherein the sponge material comprises multiple pieces of sponge material.
 4. The sponge of claim 1, wherein the reduced end is pointed.
 5. The sponge of claim 1, wherein each end of the sponge has a reduced end that reduces in dimension along its length.
 6. The sponge of claim 1, wherein the length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end comprises a loop.
 7. The sponge of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the width of the sponge to the thickness of the sponge is at least about 2 to
 1. 8. A method for making a surgical sponge, comprising the steps of: providing a sponge material and configuring the sponge material to have a length and multiple compressed layers and a flattened shape characterized by a generally flat upper surface along the length of the sponge, a generally flat lower surface along the length of the sponge, with the sponge having a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the sponge, one reduced dimension end of the elongate sponge having an end length and reducing in dimension distally along the end length; providing stitches along the length of the sponge to encircle and to compress the sponge material, thereby maintaining the layers in compression and inhibiting swelling of the sponge when saturated with fluids to maintain the flattened shape of the sponge when the sponge is saturated with fluids; and providing a length of stitch material extending from the reduced dimension end to provide a structure that is engageable for use in positioning or removal of the sponge during a surgical procedure.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a sponge material comprises providing a single piece of sponge material.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a sponge material comprises providing multiple piece of sponge material.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing stitches comprises providing lock stitches.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the ratio of the width of the sponge to the thickness of the sponge is at least about 2 to
 1. 